OYSTERMOUTH is a parish about 4 miles from Seansea,
connected therewith by railway, and is much frequented
during the summer months as a bathing place. There are many
handsome residences in the locality. It is situated upon
the peninsula known as the district of Gower, which
extends in a westerly direction from Swansea about 18 miles,
and is about 7 miles in breadth at its widest part, and is
the head of a poor law union of its name. The oyster
fishery at the Mumbles gives employment in the
season to upwards of 600 men, and the appearance of the
skiffs, about 100 in number, is often very picturesque; the
take varies from 500 to 3,000 for each skiff in a day. To
the north of the Mumbles church, on a little eminence,
stands Oystermouth Castle, a considerable part of which now
remains, and in better preservation than any of the castles
in the Gower. It commands a fine view of the bay in Swansea
and the surrounding country. It is the property of his
Grace the Duke of Beaufort, as lord
of the seinory of Gower, and in the summer is resorted to
by parties of pleasure from Swansea and neighbourhood, who
dine upon a green within the walls; the gateway is perfect,
and also a staircase leading to the terrace. The church of
All Saints' is also a fine object from many situations.
Near the church are the National schools, opened in 1867;
there are also Board schools at the Mumbles, built in 1878
by Messrs. Richards and Billings of Swansea. The Mumbles
contains places of worship belonging to the Wesleyans,
Baptists and the Unitarians; that of the Wesleyans is a
very pretty chapel, opened in 1877. There are three good
hotels here. The lighthouse, built upon the outer rock, is
an object of interest to visitors; at low water the
lighthouse can be gained on foot. A battery has been built
beneath the lighthouse; it was completed in 1860, at a cost
of #10,000. It contains five mounted guns, two beneath and
three on the outside of the battery. Population in 1861, 2,
460, and in 1871,3,574.

BISHOPSTON is a parish and village near the sea,
about 6 miles from Swansea. The area of the parish is about
2,000 acres. A strange custom in connection with the manor
of Bishopston, to be actually retained at the present time,
is that of thecopyhold lands being held on borough English
tenure, and descending not only to the youngest son or
daughter, but also in the collateral line to the youngest
brother, sister, uncle, or aunt, and all others. The chief
landowners are the Duke of Beaufort (lord of the manor),
Sir John Morris, Illtid Thomas, Esq., and H. H. Vivian, Esq.
M.P. The places of worship are the parish church
and a chapel for Independents. There is a National school
for boys and girls. The living is a rectory, in the
patronage of the Bishop of Llandaff. Rateable value, #2,593.
Population in 1861, 418, and in 1871, 457

CHERITON is a parish and village near the sea, 14
miles from Swansea. The area of the parish is 823 acres; C.
R. M. Talbot, Esq., is lord of the manor. Here are situated
what are supposed to be the ruins of Boville Castle. The
living is a rectory, in the patronage of the Prince of
Wales. Rateable value, #956. Population in 1861, 230, and
in 1871, 153.

ILSTON is a parish about 7 miles from Swansea. The
area of the parish is 2,879 acres. The principal landowners
are the Duke of Beaufort, Thomas Penrice, Esq. (lord of the
manor), and Henry Hussey Vivian, Esq. M.P. The
places of worshipare the parish church and a chapel for
dissenters. The living is a rectory, in the patronage of
the Lord Chancellor; rateable value, #1,666. Population in
1861, 295, and in 1871, 287

KNELSTON is a small parish, situated about 10 miles
from Swansea. The area of the parish is about 539 acres,
belonging chiefly to the Earl of Dunraven. The church,
which is now in ruins, was dedicated to St. Maurice, but
the walls are nearly all standing. The parishes of
Knelston and Llandewi are now consolidated, the
vicar being the Rev. C. P. M. Williams. There is also a
chapel belonging to the Baptists. Rateable value, #504.
Population in 1861, 113; and in 1871, 95.

LLANDEWI is a small parish. The Bishop of St.
David's holds the castle and manor. The area of the parish
is about 1,800 acres. The chief landowners are C. R. M.
Talbot, Esq. M.P. and Thomas Penrice, Esq. Rateable
value, #1,221. The Bishop of St. David's is the
impropriator of the tithes. Population in 1871, 141.

LLANGENNITH is a parish, distant from Swansea about
16 miles. The village is situate in a valley, between
Lanmadoc Hill and the northern portion of a small range of
hills skirting te Rhossily downs. The soils belongs chiefly
to Thomas Penrice, Esq. (lord of the manor), C. R. M.
Talbot, Esq. M.P. and the Earl of Dunraven. The
living is a vicarage, in the patronage of the Thomas
Penrice, Esq. J.P. of Kilvrough House. There are
also chapels for Calvinistic and Wesleyan Methodists. The
church, which is a large structure, with a side tower of
considerable height, faced on the eastern side by a blocked
Romanesque arch, displays evident marks of consequence;
there are the appearances of two staircases on the right
and left ofthe chancel, in which there are several ancient
monuments. The former Rectorial, or Glebe House, is called
by the name of "The College," either from the circumstances,
it is supposed, of its belonging to All Souls' College, or
from its being the site of the ancient
residence of St. Cenydd, who established a congregation
here. Roger de Bellomont (son of Henry de Bellomont, Earl
of Warwick, who conquered Gowerland, and built the castle
of Swansea) founded a priory here in the reign of King
Stephen, and is said to have annexed it to the abbey of St.
Taurinus, at Evereux, in Normandy. There was a cell in this
priory on Holmes Island, the ruins of which still exist.
The priory was dedicated to St. Kenedd, and being seized as
an alien priory, was granted by Henry VI. A.D., 1441
to All Souls' College in Oxford, but that college, by an
act passed in 1838, transferred their interest and
patronage to Thomas Penrice, Esq. Rateable value, #2,073.
Population in 1861, 384, and in 1871, 360.

LLANMADOCK is a parish near the sea, 15 miles from
Swansea. The area of the parish is 1,220 acres. C. R. M.
Talbot, Esq., M.P., and Thomas Penrice, Esq., are
owners of the soil. An old encampment, supposed to be
Danish, is situated on Llanmadock Hill. The living is a
rectory in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor, value #112
annually. There is a very good school conducted on the
National system. Rateable value #810. Population in 1861,
225, and in 1871, 178.

LLANRHIDIAN, with the district of Penclawdd,
is a parish (a great portion of which is marsh and
unenclosed land) situated on the estuary of the river Burry,
10 miles from Swansea. The parish contains the hamlets of
Walterstone and Kilibion, and the district of
Penclawdd. The area of the parish is about 12,855
acres. The Duke of Beaufort, Sir. J. A. Morris, H. H.
Vivian, Esq. M.P., A. D. Berrington, Esq., Thomas
Penrice, Esq. and C. R. M. Talbot, Eaq. M.P., are
the owners of the soil. The Duke of Beaufort is lord of the
manor. At Penclawdd there are lead smelting works, and tin
plate works, which, with the adjacent colleries, give
employment to a great number of hands. The parish church of
recent restoration, stands in the lower division, and a
district church in the upper division. There are chapels
for Baptists, Independents, and Calvinistic Methodists. The
living is a vicarage with the curacy of Penclawdd annexed,
in the patronage of the trustees of G.
Morgan, Esq. In the parish are two Board schools and one
National school. Rateable value : Llanrhidian (Higher), #6,
344; Llanrhidian (Lower), #2,894. Population in 1861, 1,993,
and in 1871, 2,151.

NICHOLASTON is a parish situated in Oxwich Bay, 10
miles from Swansea. The area of the parish is 402 acres. C.
R. M. Talbot, Esq. M.P. is lord of the manor, and
with Thomas Penrice, J.P., owner of the soil; C. R.
M. Talbot, Esq., M.P. farms the greater part of the
lower division of the parish . The only place of worship is
the parish church; the living is a rectory, consolidated
with that of Oxwich, in the patronage of C. R. M. Talbot,
Esq., M.P. Rateable value #585. Population in 1861,
109, and in 1871, 105

OXWICH is a parish and village in the district of
Gower, on the coast of the Bristol Channel, 14 miles from
Swansea. In the bay are many curious caverns, and the
scenery around is particularly wild and romantic. In the
vicinity is Oxwich Castle, a grand old ruin, supposed to be
of Norman origin, but more probably erected by Sir Rice
Mansel, in the reign of Henry VIII. The parish contains 1,
197 acres of land; C. R. M. Talbot, Esq. M.P. is
lord of the manor and owner of the soil. The places of
worship are the parish church and chapels for the Wesleyan
and Primitive Methodists. The living, a rectory, with that
of Nicholaston annexed, is in the patronage of C. R. M.
Talbot, Esq. M.P.. There is a school under the Board.
Rateable value #821. Population in 1861, 328, and in 1871,
255.

PENMAEN is a parish, about 9 miles from Swansea. The
area of the parish is 1,264 acres. C. R. M. Talbot, Esq.
M.P. His Grace the Duke of Beaufort (lord of the manor),
and Thomas Penrice, Esq., are owners of the soil. The
union workhouse for the district of Gower is situated in
this parish. In 1861, whilst digging for the foundation of
the union house, the ruins of a place of worship were
discovered on Penmaen Burrows. The plaes of worship are the
parish church and a chapel for dissenters at Pyle
Well. The living is a rectory in the patronage of H. R.
H. the Prince of Wales. There is a school conducted on the
National system. Rateable value #1,069. Population in 1861,
123, and in 1871, 161.

PENNARD is a parish, pleasantly situated near the
sea, 8 miles from Swansea. The area of the parish is 1,848
acres, exclusive of common. His Grace the Duke of Beaufort
is lord of the manor, and with Thomas Penrice, Esq. are the
principal landowners. There are ruins of a castle on a vast
sand bank in the neighbourhood. On the way from Pwlldu
Point, by the cliffs towards Oxwich, are two caverns of
great interest, named respectively "Beacon Hole" and
"Mitchin Hole". The only place of worship is the parish
church; the living is a vicarage in the patronage of Thomas
Penrice, Esq. There is a school at Park Mill Village,
under the direction of the vicar. Kilvrough House in this
parish is the seat of Thomas Penrice, Esq. J.P.
Rateable value #2,008. Population in 1861, 321, and in 1871,
285.

PENRICE is a parish and village, 12 miles from
Swansea. The parish contains 1,840 acres. C. R. M. Talbot,
Esq. M.P. is lord of the manor, and with Thomas
Penrice, Esq. J.P. are the owners of the parish. The
living is a vicarage in the patronage of Major Vaughan
Hanning Lee, M.P. of Dillington Park, Somerset.
There are chapels for the Wesleyans at Horton.
Penrice Castle, the marine residence of Christopher Rice
Mansel Talbot, Esq. M.P., is a handsome structure,
situated near the village of Penrice. The grounds of the
castle are laid out tastefully, and the floral portion is
justly celebrated. Horton is a hamlet in this parish.
Rateable value #1,676. Population in 1861, 307, and in
1871, 290.

PORTEYNON is a parish, 12 miles from Swansea,
pleasantly situated near the Bristol Channel. The parish
contains 1,010 acres; C. R. M. Talbot Esq., M.P., is
lord of the manor and principal land owner. The living is a
rectory in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor. There is a
parish school, supported chiefly by C. R. M. Talbot, Esq.,
M.P., and under the superintendence of the School
Board. Rateable value #771. Population in 1861, 297, and in
1871, 254.

REYNOLDSTON is a parish and village, 12 miles from
Swansea. The area of the parish is 1,047 acres. His Grace
the Duke of Beaufort is lord of the manor, and C. R. M.
Talbot, Esq., M.P., Mrs. Mary Catherine Wood, Thomas
Penrice Esq., J.P., are the principal land owners.
Arthur's stone, of world wide celebity, is a huge block of
stone, fourteen feet long, seven deep, and six and a half
wide,and is computed to weigh about 25 tons, it is situated
about 2 miles from the village, upon the side of Cefn Bryn,
a long mountain ridge. By some it is supposed to have been
of Druidical erection, but the absence of the groves so
often associated with the altars of their priests, have to
other suggested the idea that it owes its originof position
to some other period. The placing of this enormous stone
upon its pillars, has been ascribed to the prodigious
strength of the renowned hero from whom it takes its name,
who was slain at the battle of Camlan, A.D. 540. In
the neighbourhood
there is a remarkable well, called "Holywell". Tradition
hands down its celebrity for great cures, and it was
customary for the people of this neighbourhood to resort to
it on Sunday evenings, to drink its water, and pay the
tribute of throwing in apin. The celebrated cavern,
accidentally discovered by Mr. Lucas, and by him (at a
great expense) fully revealed in all its stupendous beauty,
is estimated to hold at least 2,000 people, and may be seen
at Stout Hall, the residence of that gentleman, prior to
his decease. The church, which was restored about 1868, is
a handsome one; the living is a rectory in the patronage of
C. R. M. Talbot, Esq. M.P. Population in 1861, 270,
and in 1871, 277.

RHOSCILY, or Rhossili, is a parish, situated
at the extremity of the peninsula, 18 miles from Swansea.
The area of the parish is about 1,300 acres, and the
rateable value #729. The places of worship are the church,
and a chapel for theWesleyans. The church is a very rude
structure of great length, lighted by four small windows
protected by shutters. There is a ruined church near the
beach below. The limestone trade gives employment to a
number o the inhabitants. It appears to thestranger to be
an occupation fraught with great risk, the men being often
suspended over the edges of precipices, several hundred
feet high, yet very few accidents occur. The living is a
rectory in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor. The
principal land owners are C. R. M. Talbot, Esq. M.P.,
Messrs. Myrick and Guest, and Thomas Penrice, Esq. J.P.
Rateable value #858. Population in 1861, 294, and in
1871, 267

The whole of the above parishes are situated in the Gower
union, Swansea county court district, diocese of St.
David's, archdeaconry of Carmarthen, and deanery of East
and West Gower and county of Glamorgan.

CONVEYANCE BY RAILWAY

On the London and North Western Line

Station, Dunvent, 5 miles from Swansea -
Isaac Peters, station masterStation, Gower Road, 7 miles from Swansea -
Jonathan Morgan, station masterStation, Killay, 4 miles from Swansea - John
Allen, station masterStation, Mumbles Road, 2.5 miles from Swansea
- George William Thornhill, station masterStation, Penclawdd, 9 miles from Swansea -
John Bound, station master

On the Great Western Line

Station, Gower Road - Wm. Roberts, station master

On the Oystermouth Line

To and from Swansea, about six times a day

The Swansea Improvement & Tramways Company, in
the exercise of their running powers, now book passengers
between Morriston and the Mumbles; trams every hour during
the day - E. Everingham, manager - See advertisement